Is bullying and teasing associated with eating disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Objective Involvement in bullying and teasing has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including eating disorders (EDs). The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to examine the association between bullying/teasing and EDs. Method A systematic search was conducted. We included research articles that examined the association between bullying/teasing (victimization and perpetration) and EDs. Studies were required to compare ED cases with a reference group. We performed a qualitative synthesis of included studies. Additionally, a random‐effects meta‐analysis of odds ratios were performed to compare rates of bullying/teasing victimization between cases and healthy controls. Results A total of 22 studies were included for review. Compared to healthy controls, those with EDs were significantly more likely to have been bullied and teased. Evidence of this association was particularly strong for bulimia nervosa and binge‐eating disorder, but was more mixed for anorexia nervosa. It was unclear whether such victimization was more common in EDs compared to psychiatric controls. The meta‐analysis showed that compared to healthy controls, those with EDs were twofold to threefold significantly more likely to have been teased about their appearance and bullied prior to onset of their ED. Few studies examined bullying perpetration. A number of methodological shortcomings of studies were noted. Discussion Being victimized through bullying and teasing is associated with EDs, and may constitute a risk factor. Our review underscores the need for more studies, and highlights gaps in the literature. As many patients have been victims of bullying and teasing, addressing such experiences in treatment may be valuable.

Risk factors for eating disorders: an umbrella review of published meta-analyses

“…The evidence grade for ED risk factors is reported in Table 1. Nine meta-analyses 11,12,[54][55][56][57][58][59][60] investigated a wide range of risk factors for ED. Early menarche was investigated in one meta-analysis, peripartum events were investigated in four (APGAR score, C-section, vaginal instrumental delivery, and gestational age lower than 37 weeks), pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions were investigated in seven (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, substance use, type I diabetes), initial psychological features and BMI at baseline assessment in longitudinal studies were investigated in nine, and the remaining investigated risk factors were lifetime or childhood traumatic events or physical, emotional, sexual abuse.…”

Emotion Recognition Abilities in Adults with Anorexia Nervosa are Associated with Autistic Traits

“…Difficulties in social functioning have been identified as key factors in the development and maintenance of AN [2]. For example, before illness onset, individuals with AN report more social difficulties, fewer childhood friends, and engage in more solitary activities than healthy controls (HCs) [3][4][5][6]. During the illness, a variety of difficulties are seen, including high social anxiety, poorer social skills and social problem-solving abilities, loss of interest in social activities, and reduced social networks [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Peer Victimization in Overweight Adolescents and Its Effect on Their Self-Esteem and Peer Difficulties

“…Cybervictimization has been associated with body dissatisfaction and overweight preoccupation [26,46]. Meta-analyses have indicated that avoidance of provocation or bullying is among the main motivators for weight loss [47], and that people with eating disorders were more likely to have been teased about their appearance or bullied prior to the onset of their eating disorder [48].…”